Pasted a link to an Irish Breakdown podcast that suggests some really concerning issues with the coaching staff.  The IB hosts don't go into specifics but you will be able to listen between the lines and understand what they are saying.  

My interpretation is that in some combination but not all, the coordinators and assistant coaches aren't doing a good job.  I know that's vague and everyone already knows that but you will get more details if you listen.  Also, Freeman isn't holding them accountable.  One particular thing I remember from the podcast is that supposedly Rees has an overly voluminous playbook.  He's apparently too arrogant and/or egotistical to reduce it even if it allows some more inexperienced/younger players to get on the field and outperform the lesser talented but more experienced players.  Hearing players are being called out and held accountable but not the coaches and that is beginning to cause the players to lose faith.

The hosts suggested that they believe if things don't improve dramatically soon, a more than normal amount of current players will transfer out and ND will lose committed recruits.  I was very discouraged after listening to the podcast. I was all in favor of hiring Freeman and he's really disappointed me.   Also, I thought Rees was being held back by Kelly and that doesn't appear to be the case.  They are likely more alike than I realized.  I think Rees is likely to be very intelligent and knowledgeable.  However, he's not smart enough to see that sometimes doing less, better is the way to go instead of trying to be the mad scientist with your amazing schemes that the players aren't capable or ready to execute. 

 

Notre Dame's Struggles Create An Opportunity For Marcus Freeman

Irish Breakdown - Notre Dame's Struggles Create An Opportunity For Marcus Freeman (google.com)

Note to self: skip the podcast.

 

I think I read a plug for the podcast that mentioned that the playbook was too complex but I don't know that I saw it mentioned it was due to TRs arrogance, that seems odd to me. He is a coaches son and he did come under BK so I am not sure his pedigree is one of humility and learning but who knows?

As I was reflecting about this the other day I realized that Rees and Freeman were both in a no-win situation. If either or both left ND they would have been vilified for leaving ND in favor of the bayou but instead the admin threw money at them, they stayed, and now they are failing. No one likes to do a bad job, at least I don't think so. I am pretty sure Freeman didn't take over ND in order to ruin it unless he is an evil genius from OSU playing the worlds best long game. I feel like the admin wanted to thumb their nose at BK and keep the current ho hum ND culture intact more than it wanted to hire a game changing coach and now we are having to address problems left behind in the wake of BK. To be clear, I am not blaming BK per se, but I think these problems would have surfaced this year regardless of whether he stayed or went, it was just coming to a head and BK got out from under it. 

Yeah, I’m avoiding things designed to make me sad

3 hours ago, 4thand1 said:

Pasted a link to an Irish Breakdown podcast that suggests some really concerning issues with the coaching staff.  The IB hosts don't go into specifics but you will be able to listen between the lines and understand what they are saying.  

My interpretation is that in some combination but not all, the coordinators and assistant coaches aren't doing a good job.  I know that's vague and everyone already knows that but you will get more details if you listen.  Also, Freeman isn't holding them accountable.  One particular thing I remember from the podcast is that supposedly Rees has an overly voluminous playbook.  He's apparently too arrogant and/or egotistical to reduce it even if it allows some more inexperienced/younger players to get on the field and outperform the lesser talented but more experienced players.  Hearing players are being called out and held accountable but not the coaches and that is beginning to cause the players to lose faith.

The hosts suggested that they believe if things don't improve dramatically soon, a more than normal amount of current players will transfer out and ND will lose committed recruits.  I was very discouraged after listening to the podcast. I was all in favor of hiring Freeman and he's really disappointed me.   Also, I thought Rees was being held back by Kelly and that doesn't appear to be the case.  They are likely more alike than I realized.  I think Rees is likely to be very intelligent and knowledgeable.  However, he's not smart enough to see that sometimes doing less, better is the way to go instead of trying to be the mad scientist with your amazing schemes that the players aren't capable or ready to execute. 

 

Notre Dame's Struggles Create An Opportunity For Marcus Freeman

Irish Breakdown - Notre Dame's Struggles Create An Opportunity For Marcus Freeman (google.com)

 

I've listened a few from IB, Some are pretty meh, and tries to sell speculation as fact. Driskell has gotten worse over the years. Not sure if he lost access to the game, or what... He has had a ton of whiffs though over the years.

But I do find it funny that comments say "Rees play book is too big", while some of the whiners call him "predictable" and run the same plays over and over. We've heard the same since for years, pre-Rees. 

So is A or b

• A: Is Rees predictable, too simple, and has to use more crafty plays?
• B: Or is Rees overly complex, too many plays, and needs to go back to basics... 

But I wouldn't be surprised if Freeman was too nice. But that prediction doesn't need a Kreskin. Just a Captain Obvious. 

People are free to believe what they want and poke holes in the credibility of others.  Makes sense to me that Rees is unwilling to comprise his playbook to get more talented but inexperienced players on the field.  I thought it was Kelly that was preventing young/talented WRs from playing and now I think it's probably Rees or they are just like minded.  Think about the QBs Rees has recruited and played...

What if Rees were the OC at Ala.  How would that go?

Saban; why isn't so and so 4/5 star QB/WR playing ahead of the lesser talented guy?

Rees: Those guys aren't grasping the playbook as well.

Saban; Shut up. Figure out plays that they can run and get them on the field, now.

I listened to some of this podcast and it was complete trash, so I had to turn it off.  Normally I like Driskell, but this was one of the worst reports I have ever heard.  All it seemed like was their theories of what is happening behind the scenes, with no facts whatsoever.  Basically, just hearsay, along with their opinion of what they’re seeing on the field.  I mean, maybe there’s some truth to it, but to sit there and talk about mostly made up crap for over two hours is total garbage!

I like the Lucky Lefty podcast. Shaun Davis and Malik Zaire. It's a good listen. Sit back with an Onora Whiskey and drink.....responsibly. 

15 hours ago, 4thand1 said:

People are free to believe what they want and poke holes in the credibility of others.  Makes sense to me that Rees is unwilling to comprise his playbook to get more talented but inexperienced players on the field.  I thought it was Kelly that was preventing young/talented WRs from playing and now I think it's probably Rees or they are just like minded.  Think about the QBs Rees has recruited and played...

What if Rees were the OC at Ala.  How would that go?

Saban; why isn't so and so 4/5 star QB/WR playing ahead of the lesser talented guy?

Rees: Those guys aren't grasping the playbook as well.

Saban; Shut up. Figure out plays that they can run and get them on the field, now.

Kiffen did say that he was surprised that he had to meet with Saban for an hour each day regarding offense since Saban was a defensive guy.  Saban not only reviewed the game plan but also would review the previous practice with Kiffin and the plans for the next practice..

20 hours ago, 4thand1 said:

People are free to believe what they want and poke holes in the credibility of others.  Makes sense to me that Rees is unwilling to comprise his playbook to get more talented but inexperienced players on the field.  I thought it was Kelly that was preventing young/talented WRs from playing and now I think it's probably Rees or they are just like minded.  Think about the QBs Rees has recruited and played...

What if Rees were the OC at Ala.  How would that go?

Saban; why isn't so and so 4/5 star QB/WR playing ahead of the lesser talented guy?

Rees: Those guys aren't grasping the playbook as well.

Saban; Shut up. Figure out plays that they can run and get them on the field, now.

I've heard the same thing for a decade+ (not getting talented kids on the field), and agree to an extent.... 

The same narrative didn't just start with Rees. And do you think BK was silent?